Public pressure over superintendent suspension, security resignation and forensic-audit questions; board approves independent investigator and continues audit

Residents and community members used the Feb. 25 Newburgh City School District Board of Education meeting to press for transparency on the district’s suspension of the superintendent and recent resignations in security and special-education staffing. The board approved an independent investigator for certain civil-rights and personnel matters, then tabled a related forensic-audit resolution. The meeting also included a multi-division budget presentation that highlighted rising special-education needs and technology and facilities requests.

"Imagine my shock and my chagrin when I notice in the agenda that he has tendered his resignation," resident Ronaldo Santiago said about the district head of security. "The safety and security of our students must be paramount and that requires visibility," Santiago said, urging the board to make the next security hire visible and accountable to the community.

Several speakers raised related concerns. Tracy Wallace asked about procurement and possible conflicts of interest tied to the forensic audit on the agenda: "If Lisa Russ comes from the same lawyer that we're paying... is that a conflict of interest?" She asked whether the forensic-audit work had been subject to an RFP or bidding process.

Board counsel answered that question during discussion: "While the website reviews might show her presence as a member of our law firm that has not been the case for at least 6 years," district counsel said, adding that "she would be an independent investigator and coordinator in certain title matters" including civil-rights statutes cited by counsel.

After public comment and division reports, the board took several formal actions. Among the votes recorded later in the meeting, the board approved a resolution to retain Lisa Rusk as an independent investigator/coordinator for specified Title matters. A separate resolution to commission a forensic audit was moved and later tabled by the board; the motion to table passed. The board also recessed into an executive session later in the agenda to discuss personnel matters and to receive counsel’s advice.

Budget presentation highlights: Curriculum and instruction, special education and technology leaders walked the board through staffing and program requests tied to next year’s budget. Jason Gerard, director in the exceptional learners division, said the district’s population of students classified with autism has increased sharply — "Approximately 6 years ago... around 170 students... going into the upcoming school year, that number has reached 350," Gerard said — and asked the board to consider in-district placements and additional classroom capacity rather than out-of-district placements. Gerard and colleagues described expected increases in health, nursing and transportation needs for medically complex students, and they asked for additional staffing in school psychology and social work to support tiered interventions.

Technology and facilities: Assistant superintendent for data and technology Jason McGrath urged the board to address server-room conditions that currently lack environmental controls and are causing equipment wear, and to expand help-desk staffing. McGrath said vendors had been engaged for quotes and that cyber-security and climate control for server closets were on the near-term list of priorities.

What residents asked for: Speakers demanded transparency on the superintendent suspension and forensic audit, requested that the board work with the city police on interim patrolling after the security resignation, and urged quicker staffing and retention efforts for special-education teachers and paraprofessionals.

Board actions at a glance: the board approved an independent investigator/coordinator (resolution 8.3 as presented on the agenda), tabled the forensic-audit resolution (8.4) and several related agenda items were placed on hold; the board recessed into executive session for personnel and legal advice. The board also approved the 2025–26 district calendar and a suite of consent items across human resources, finance and curriculum divisions during the meeting.